Despite MajorLonno Deso's orders, Dameron was determined to avenge Muran and to track down the stolen freighter. While on a routine patrol, Dameron got Arana and Kun to upload all telemetry from the Suraz engagement into his droidBB-8. Arana and Kun agreed to cover for Dameron while he departed on his errant mission. Following the skirmish in OR-Kappa-2722, Dameron was recruited by GeneralLeia Organa into the Resistance, a private paramilitary offshoot of the New Republic military that monitored the First Order's activities.[2]

Before they could return to the Echo of Hope, the Resistance pilots were attacked by a large First Order fleet. Following a pursuit, Arana and his comrades managed to outrun their First Order pursuers including a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer and fled into hyperspace. Due to their successful mission, the Resistance obtained irrefutable evidence of Ro-Kiintor's treason and discovered that the explorerLor San Tekka was still alive. Believing that Tekka held the key to finding her lost brother Luke Skywalker, Organa dispatched Dameron to find Tekka.[2]

Iolo Arana was a male Keshian, a baseline humanoidspecies with large and oddly coloredeyes, allowing them to detect a broad spectrum ranging from ultraviolet to infrared which gave Arana an advantage in dogfights. Arana was loyal to his friend Poe Dameron. He and Karé Kun followed Dameron into the Resistance and took part in Operation: Sabre Strike. While in New Republic service, Arana found the routine patrol flights in the Mirrin sector boring and longed for real combat. Arana was able to fly various starships including T-85 X-wings and vintage Z-95 Headhunters.[2]